Haines, Alaska 2007 Bald Eagle Festival

Festival takes place November 7 - 11, 2007, during the world's largest concentration gathering of bald eagles.

Over 3,000 eagles gather along a four-mile stretch of the Chilkat
River north of Haines, Alaska each fall to feed on a late run of
salmon. This is the largest gathering of eagles in the world. Eagles
flock from as far away as Washington State for the feast. Starting in
late October, eagles by the hundreds can be seen along the sand bars
and in cottonwood trees in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The
peak of the gathering usually occurs in mid-November.

The festival is crammed with a full Schedule of Events catering to
birdwatchers, photographers, and nature lovers. Event highlights
include: •Photo Workshops•Speakers and Presentations•Guided Eagle
Viewing•Featured Entertainers• Release of Wild Rehabilitated Bald
Eagles

Bald Eagles are attracted to the area by the availability of
spawned-out salmon and open waters in the late fall and winter. The
natural phenomena responsible for five miles of open water during
freezing months is called an "alluvial fan reservoir." Water in this
large reservoir remains from 10 to 20 degrees warmer than the
surrounding water. This warmer water "percolates" into the Chilkat
River and keeps it from freezing.

Five species of salmon spawn in these waters beginning in the
summer and continuing through late fall or early winter. The salmon die
shortly after spawning and their carcasses provide large quantities of
food for the eagles. The combination of this large food supply and warm
water bring large concentrations of eagles into the Chilkat Valley
beginning in early October and lasting through February.